Just curious about how you came up with the name Jacks R' Better, and the logo?

I have always wondered since I joined HF.

12-08-2010, 10:51

angrysparrow

It is run by Jack and Jack. :) Perfect poker reference.

12-08-2010, 10:51

eflat7

Well there ya go!

12-09-2010, 21:03

DGrav

Trivia: Which one's the Jack of hearts?

12-09-2010, 21:09

MedicineMan

In my limited exposure to the Jack(s) I'd have to give the genteel/warm/nuturing nod to Smee :)

12-19-2010, 11:04

Peter_pan

Jrb Logo

Angry Sparrow is right about the two guys named Jack... But poker really did not have anything to do with the logo...Unless you consider the play on every business start up as a gamble.

Back in '03 when we made and tested the original JRB Nests we entered the Spring of '04 questioning if others would be interested in these under quilt things...Well, before we could get to Trail Days 04 for the initial offering, the first batch was sold out...From that batch, the earliest purchaser of a JRB quilt that is still an active HF, then WB-hammock forum, member is Medicine Man...He ordered JRB Nest #2.

Flash back to the spring of '04...We talked thru several name options; all had something to do with our names... We wanted the then very small hammock community to know who the folks were bringing out The Under Quilt... This venture needed a face, a personal guarantee, to work in the face of a fraud that was perpetrated on hammockers a month or so earlier... The name Jacks 'R' Better was the eventual winner because It combined our Names with our belief that the Nest, our answer to warmth in hammocks, was, "A Better Answer" to the then prevailing windshield reflector pads, military pads or the ubitiquous WW pads...After almost seven years of working to establish the virtue of the under quilt, it is now pretty much accepted as the best approach to hammock insulation...While other UQ makes have come and gone their existence has validated the original UQ approach.

FWIW, Go-lite's re-entry into the world of quilts three years ago was another major validation of then Nunatak and JRB and top quilts.

Back to the Logo... Back then, as now, JRB primary mission statement was to enable four season hammock camping and to make it available at an affordable level....Since we intended to lead through time to facilitate our goal to support a main stream camping style we also developed a LOGO strategy.

Not unlike Mt Hardware, who many years before used the hex nut and their name as a logo and then when they were becoming a household brand dropped the words... JRB adapted the Jack of hearts and the Jack of Spades, with the over arching "Jacks 'R' Better"... The day is approaching when the Logo will simply be the two cards.

We are frequently asked why Hearts and Spades... Truth is that Smee thought they were the best looking jacks...FWIW, the surrounding lore includes...They are the one eyed jacks... and every youngster at heart knows the one eyed jacks are wild...Many have heard me tell, around the campfire at a hang or in the evening rap sessions at Trail Days that the Jacks are bridge players not poker players... And that hearts and spades are the major suits...And JRB is the major leader in hammock insulation and accessories... So it all works.

The last details came the Friday night of Trail Days '04... The vending area was quiet and the fledgling Jacks were dinner guests of Ed Speer and Karen, of Speer hammocks...As we sat eating dinner on across the midway, Karen looked over at our booth and said, "You guys need to tell folks what you do, some were asking her earlier if you were an Indian gaming casino"...After that weekend the smaller words, " Quilts and Hiking Gear" were added in red.

That is the story and I'm sticking to it...;)

Pan

12-19-2010, 11:17

Dale

Great background and I must say, as an owner of 3 quilts, one tarp, one hood and the "down to earth" pad, I am a user and a fan.

12-19-2010, 11:46

2Questions

Thanks Jack,
I've enjoyed the many conversations with you and Smee, but never knew the history of JRB either. Fills in the gaps and deepens the appreciation for what you guys have accomplished in the hammocking world.
Health to you both and prosperous business for many years to come....:thumbup:
2Q

12-19-2010, 12:29

Just Jeff

Jack - out of curiosity, what number of Nest+NS did I get?

12-19-2010, 14:01

Knotty

Interesting history. By the way, what was the fraud perpetrated on hammockers you reference?